Hearst Free Library board approves 2026 closed dates, including Feb. 7 fundraiser

Trustee Marsha Miller moved and Trustee Kurt Wyant seconded a motion to approve the library's list of 2026 closed dates; the board voted unanimously to adopt the list.

Director Sam Walters had asked the board to permit staff the option to close the building on several days beyond the holidays set by the ADLC Commission, saying “historically, patron visits on days around major holidays are extremely low, and for many years library staff members have been given the option of closing the library and using their vacation hours or opening the building and working their normal hours.” The approved dates include February 7 (the Friends of the Library Chocolate, Wine and Cheese fundraiser, 2 p.m.–4 p.m.), July 3–4, November 29, December 24, 26 and 31, plus two fall and two spring days to be set later for staff training and equipment maintenance.

The board recorded the action as a formal motion and vote. Trustees present at the meeting were Kurt Wyant, Marsha Miller and Bobbie Frank; the motion passed unanimously. The approval preserves the library's past practice of giving staff flexibility to close on low-attendance days while retaining specified holiday coverage and planned training windows.